CBI Books FCI and NERAMAC Officials Over Rs 28 Crore Rice Scam in Delhi
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR against senior officials of the Food Corporation of India and the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation for allegedly diverting subsidised rice meant for poor labourers in New Delhi to private traders, causing losses of over Rs 28 crore to the food agency.
According to the FIR, the rice was originally intended for daily wage earners, labour class workers, migrant workers residing in Delhi, and persons not covered under the public distribution system due to a lack of ration cards. Instead, the agency alleged that the grain was diverted to private traders for profit through a criminal conspiracy involving officials and private entities.
The case was registered following a report submitted by the Department of Food and Public Distribution. It alleged that FCI Delhi allocated approximately 62,000 metric tons of rice to NERAMAC between April 13 and May 15 under the Open Market Sale Scheme without conducting an e-auction.
The CBI stated that NERAMAC, as a Government of India-owned enterprise, was ineligible for rice allocations without participating in an e-auction under the 2025-26 policy, as such exemptions were restricted only to state governments and state corporations. The inquiry found that FCI Delhi officials processed the allocation with undue haste despite the policy violation.
The rice was supplied to NERAMAC at a concessional rate of Rs 23,200 per metric ton against a prevailing reserve price of Rs 26,900 per metric ton. This concession resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 28.49 crore to the FCI.
Investigators alleged that the additional general manager of NERAMAC Guwahati had initially written to the Delhi government on January 7 seeking an allocation of 31,000 metric tons of rice per week. However, on March 26, the NERAMAC managing director signed Memorandums of Understanding with three private entities, falsely claiming that the corporation was authorised by the FCI to procure and distribute the rice.
These private entities allegedly instructed traders to deposit Rs 23.25 per kilogram into NERAMAC's bank account while collecting commissions ranging from Rs 0.64 to Rs 2.50 per kilogram. The traders then lifted the rice directly from FCI depots and resold it to other traders for commercial profit.
The CBI further alleged that the accused maintained fabricated distribution records and backdated appointment letters to falsely show that the subsidised rice had been distributed to eligible beneficiaries through retail outlets.
